Kuwait has introduced its new temporary residence laws, restricting foreigners’ stay to three months, one extension of which is available for 12 months. Permits for regular residency could now be granted for periods ranging from five years, while children of Kuwaiti women, as well as those owning properties, can be provided residency rights for up to 10 years. Residency options for up to 15 years are also possible for investors.
Severe punishments accompany all noncompliance related to temporary or regular residency rules, including iqama rules. Offenders facing temporary and regular residency regulations are punished through imprisonment for a period of one year, in addition to fines not exceeding KD 1,200 ($3,900). Heavy penalties are imposed against violations of visit visa conditions, which range from one-year imprisonment to KD 2000. Penalties for illegal entry into Kuwait entail a three-year prison term and a fine capped at 3,000 KD.
The purging measures are so stiff that by committing illegal trade in residency permits, the offender faces penalties of five years in prison and KD 10,000. If an offender is a state employee and commits the offense as part of his job responsibilities, the punishment shall be doubled.
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Domestic workers submit that they can never stay away from Kuwait for more than four months without prior permission from the Interior Ministry; otherwise, residency rights get canceled. However, employers are liable to a fine of KD 10,000 in addition to a year’s prison term for employing foreigners illegally or without dues. All hotels and managers of furnished apartments must notify the Interior Ministry regarding the arrival and departure of foreign guests within 24 hours.
Expatriate residents must also show their passports or equivalent documents on demand and report loss or damage of documents to the Interior Ministry within two weeks. This will incur fines of up to KD 2,000 for failing to comply.